Hmm...my first instinct is to say, "yes."  But mostly because, like you say, it's become common to say that.  I think we have "free will" and can choose what to do.  I do think that he can turn things to our benefit though.  Interesting thought   I'll think more on this!

A gentleman? Does he wear a top hat?

God is in control because God created everything, and with this creation of matter and energy things were set in motion, never to cease.

Every cause has an effect, and since God was first cause, he ultimately spun existence in a particular manner to ensure all the experiences in all lives occurred how they should occur not out of desire, but out of useless necessity.

A tops function is to spin, there is no purpose. As the universe spins, the spinner (God) knew exactly how it would spin (being omniscient and all), so he gave it the proper amount of velocity to ensure a proper arbitrary amount of happiness and tragedy would occur in your life. Don't worry though, because there's nothing you can do about it anyway.